Brake control apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hydraulic brake control apparatus for attaching to an open ended handlebar of a vehicle, the handlebar having a longitudinal axis. A brake housing is attachable to the handlebar, the brake housing including a first section residing outside the handlebar and abutting the open end of the handlebar, and a second section sized and shaped to be received inside the handlebar. A master cylinder is disposed within the first section, the master cylinder having a bore with a bore axis that is oriented transverse to said axis of the handlebar and a master cylinder actuator is in operative association with the master cylinder. A micro-adjust mechanism, a macro-adjust mechanism, and a clamp mechanism is also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to brake systems. More particularly, the inventionrelates to brake control devices, which are used with a brake forengaging a wheel of a vehicle.

Many vehicles, such as bicycles, utilize a braking system that causesthe application of pressure to a rotating wheel or a disc rotor mountedto a rotating wheel. Many of these braking systems utilize a mechanismwith a hand lever to generate pressure with a hydraulic fluid. Thispressure is transferred through a hydraulic line or conduit to a brakeapparatus, which may include a caliper having brake pads, such that thehydraulic pressure is applied to the pads to squeeze the pads againstthe rotating part to impart a braking force thereto. The rotating partcould be a wheel rim or a rotor, for example.

Two general types of brake systems are commonly seen in the bicyclemarket and these use different mechanisms to convey braking force from ahand lever mounted to the outside of a handlebar down to the wheel tostop the bicycle. The first, and typically least expensive way, is theuse of a steel cable positioned in a housing which is pulled by the handlever. This cable is connected to a brake caliper near the rim of awheel and when pulled, generates force between paired brake pads. Theresulting friction slows the bicycle. The other way is the use ofhydraulic fluid in a hydraulic line to convey the hand-generated forcedown to the brake caliper. This hydraulic fluid is pushed by a masterpiston by operating a hand lever and pushes against a slave piston at ornear the caliper, which causes the brake pads to move against the rimand slow the bicycle. Cable actuated brake systems may use differentlever distances to increase the hand force and generate a higher brakeforce between the brake pads and rim, in contrast to hydraulic brakeswhich use different piston diameters to increase the hand force.

An advantage of hydraulic actuated brakes is the lower energy loss inthe hydraulic line in contrast to the steel cable, especially when thesteel cable is fished through the interior of the bicycle handlebar andframe member(s), because of the amount of friction created between thecable and the housing. This makes hydraulic brake systems an attractiveoption for road and triathlon bicycles. Triathlon and time trial stylebicycles are designed to be very aerodynamic and the brake lines aretypically hidden inside the handlebar and the frame to reduce drag. Thetriathlon and time trial style handlebar has a special shape to allowthe rider to ride the bike in an aerodynamic position. For this reason,effective hydraulic brake systems are particularly advantageous whenapplied to triathlon and time trial bicycles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the present need for an improved hydraulic brake controlapparatus and in particular an apparatus that is provided in an overallergonomic package, a brief summary of various exemplary embodiments ispresented. Some simplifications and omissions may be made in thefollowing summary, which is intended to highlight and introduce someaspects of the various exemplary embodiments, but not to limit the scopeof the invention. Detailed descriptions of an exemplary embodimentadequate to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use theinventive concepts will follow in later sections, but it should beunderstood that minor variations of these concepts are contemplated bythe invention.

Some aspects of the invention include a hydraulic brake controlapparatus designed to work with a rim brake caliper and has a housingsection that may be mounted at the forward/leading end of a triathlonstyle handlebar, preferably in an abutting fashion i.e. in contact withthe end of the handlebar, and a section that clamps in the interior onan inner surface of the handlebar and also may locate the hydraulic lineoutlet portion inside the handlebar. The hydraulic system may be closedand may omit compensating structure to address expansion of hydraulicfluid due to heat because a rim brake caliper does not heat brake fluidduring braking (in contrast to a disc brake caliper). This closed systemallows having both the quick release and the pad contact adjustment atthe brake housing, which is convenient and comfortable to use, includingduring riding. A radial master cylinder may help to make the brake leverand apparatus very compact and aerodynamic and a symmetric working clampmechanism driven by an offset screw leaves sufficient room in the middleof the housing to locate the hydraulic line port inside the handlebar.The brake control apparatus may easily be mounted to a handlebar andonly one screw needs to be tightened.

One aspect of the invention is a hydraulic brake control apparatus forattaching to an open-ended handlebar of a vehicle, the handlebar havinga longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a brake housing attachableto the handlebar. The brake housing includes a first section residingoutside the handlebar and abutting the open end of the handlebar, and asecond section sized and shaped to be received inside the handlebar. Amaster cylinder is disposed within the first section, the mastercylinder having a master cylinder chamber with a chamber axis that isoriented transverse to the axis of the handlebar. A master cylinderactuator is provided in operative association with the master cylinder.

Another aspect of the invention is a hydraulic brake control apparatusfor controlling the braking of a vehicle, the vehicle having a handlebarwith a handlebar axis including a brake housing attachable to thehandlebar. A master cylinder is disposed in the brake housing having abore axis oriented transverse to the axis of the handlebar. A mastercylinder actuator is pivotally attached to the housing and in operativeassociation with the master cylinder. An adjustment cylinder is disposedin the brake housing in communication with the master cylinder, theadjustment cylinder including an adjustment cylinder chamber providedwith a volume of fluid and one or both of a micro-adjust mechanism and amacro-adjust mechanism is provided that is operable upon the adjustmentcylinder to change the fluid volume of the adjustment cylinder chamber.

Another aspect of the invention provides a clamp mechanism for attachinga brake control apparatus to an open ended handlebar of a vehicle, thehandlebar having an inside surface and a longitudinal axis, including abrake housing attachable to the handlebar, the brake housing including afirst section residing outside the handlebar and a second section sizedand shaped to be received inside the open end of the handlebar, theclamp mechanism arranged symmetrically about the second section of thebrake housing to space apart the second section from the handlebar andoperating to secure the brake housing to the inside surface of thehandlebar by expanding radially, the clamp mechanism including anadjustor, the adjustor accessible from the first section and extendingthrough the first and second sections and being offset from said axis ofthe handlebar.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bemore fully understood from the following description of one or moreembodiments of the invention, taken together with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a brake control apparatus accordingto one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side view of the housing portion of thebrake control apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a perspective front view of the housing of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the brake control apparatus of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective top view with a cross-sectional view through theaxis A shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the brake control apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the brake control apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the micro-adjust and macro-adjustmechanisms of the brake control apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the mechanisms of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional top view of the of the brake controlapparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective rear view of the of the brake control apparatusof FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the invention will herein be described withreference to the drawings. It will be understood that the drawings anddescriptions set out herein are provided for illustration only and donot limit the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto and anyand all their equivalents. For example, the terms “first” and “second,”“upper” and “lower,” or “forward” and “rearward” are used for the sakeof clarity and not as terms of limitation. Moreover, the terms may referto bicycle mechanisms conventionally mounted to a bicycle and with thebicycle oriented and used in a standard fashion unless otherwiseindicated.

The figures illustrate a brake control apparatus 18 for a handlebarsteered vehicle, such as a bicycle, including “triathlon” or “timetrial” style bicycles, for example, according to an embodiment of theinvention. All of many of the features may be adapted or incorporatedinto brake systems for other types of bicycles and the like.

The brake control apparatus 18 includes a housing 20, and a clampmechanism 21, which may clamp, the housing second section 20B into aninside surface 29 of a handlebar 22 of the vehicle. It will beunderstood that the handlebar 22 is mountable to a bicycle and when somounted may extend forwardly and receives the brake control apparatus 18in an open end of the handlebar i.e., according to the direction oftravel of the vehicle during standard forward operation.

The brake control apparatus 18 increases and decreases fluid pressure inthe apparatus to actuate the brakes. The brake control apparatus 18 mayalso include a micro-adjust mechanism 25 which operates to change thetotal fluid volume in the housing to adjust the clearance between thebrake pads and a corresponding wheel rim (not shown). The brake controlapparatus 18 may also include a macro-adjust mechanism 27 that quicklyincreases or decreases the clearance between brake pads and a wheel rim(preferably in one step or motion) to allow a rider to easily installand remove the wheel from the bicycle.

The brake control apparatus 18 may include all or any of the mastercylinder 69′, micro-adjust mechanism 25, and macro-adjust mechanism 27in a first section 20A of the housing 20. The clamp mechanism 21 may beconsidered to be attached to a second section 20B of the housing 20.

The housing 20 may take a wide range of forms according to the desiredoverall shape of the brake apparatus and the desired elements andmechanisms housed therein or attached thereto. The housing 20 includes amaster cylinder 69′ defined at least in part by a master cylinder bore68, which has a bore axis B that may be oriented transverse orperpendicular to the axis A of the handlebar 22 to which the housing isattachable. In embodiments where the bore 68 is transverse orperpendicular to the axis A of the handlebar, the master cylinder 69′may be a radial master cylinder. The master cylinder 69′ may be spacedfrom the end of the bar. The handlebar axis A may intersect the mastercylinder 69′.

The master cylinder chamber 69 has a narrow diameter portion 71 (FIG.2A) for housing spring 48. At or near the top of the housing 20, abovethe main part of chamber 69 and the narrow diameter portion 71 is a holeor bleed port 73 (FIG. 2A), which is normally occupied and closed by thebleed screw 50, and may be opened to atmosphere to add or extract fluidor permit the escape of air. The bleed port 73 may have an undercut, andmay be sealed with the housing by the screw 50 and an O-ring or thelike, as is well known.

At the forward end of the housing first section 20A is an adjustmentcylinder bore 70 at least in part defining an adjustment cylinder 75′ influid communication with the master cylinder 69′. The adjustmentcylinder bore 70 may be angled, such that air is permitted to rise toand exit the bleed port 73. Accordingly, the adjustment cylinder 75′ andmaster cylinder 69′ may communicate at or near an upper part of thehousing 20 in a position such that air may rise to and then exit thebleed port 73 when the bleed port is open.

In the first section of housing 20A is formed a perpendicular ortransverse hole 84 (FIG. 2A) (relative to axis A and B) formed throughthe housing, which is sized and shaped to receive a pivot pin 38 (FIGS.1, 3-6). An actuator 36 is pivotally carried on the pivot pin 38. Theactuator 36 may be a lever. The hole 84 is formed through the housing20A in a position that is relatively radially outboard from axis A andthe position of the master cylinder bore 68. Also the hole 84 may beconsidered to be between the master cylinder bore 68 and the adjustmentcylinder bore 70.

FIG. 2A is a cross section of the housing 20. The adjustment cylinderbore 70 may have a threaded portion 90 to, permit a stop bolt 60(FIG. 1) to connect to the housing 20. At or near an outermost portionof the adjustment cylinder bore 70, which outermost portion may be alarger diameter than the more inwardly located bore portions, two ormore rounded detents, cavities or indentations 74, may be spaced apart,for example about 90 degrees, for interacting with a macro-adjust detentmechanism 62. The macro-adjust detent mechanism 62 may include a ball 76biased into the indentations 74 by a spring 78, or the like. Themacro-adjust detent mechanism 62 interacts with the detents orindentations 74 in the housing 20, to releasably retain a macro-adjustlever 58 in a first or second position, dependent upon which one of theindentations are engaged by the macro-adjust detent mechanism. Thepositions correspond to relatively opened or closed positions of thebrake pads (not shown). Thus, the macro-adjust detent mechanism 62ensures that the macro-adjust mechanism 80 will not operate accidently.

The passage 80 opening at the left end of the housing second section 20B(FIG. 2A) may be internally threaded and is shaped and sized to receivea hydraulic line 34 and connector 32. The passage 80 is in fluidcommunication with both the adjustment cylinder chamber 75 and themaster cylinder chamber 69.

The right section 20B (i.e., innermost end) of the housing 20 (FIG. 1)has a first cone-shaped end 82 that may be tapered, e.g., cone-shaped asin a non-concave cone, with one or more optional anti-rotation features86 (FIG. 3), for example three radially extending ribs, where the clampmechanism 21 is located. The housing 20B may have flat surfaces 94 toreceive a tool, such as a wrench, for tightening the hydraulic lineconnector 32.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of anembodiment of a handlebar clamp mechanism 21 of the brake controlapparatus 18. The clamp mechanism 21 may be used to clamp a wide-rangeof devices to a handlebar, for example. The clamp mechanism 21 may bearranged symmetrically about housing second section 20B and adjusted byan offset clamp adjuster 30, which may include threaded screw 30′ andclamp nut 24 parts. The clamp mechanism also generally includes, in theillustrated embodiment, three mounting parts 24 and four friction rings28. It will be understood that other numbers of parts could besubstituted for those illustrated.

The clap screw 30′ extends through the housing 20 and is operativelycoupled to the clamp nut 26, in one embodiment by a threaded connection,to form a clamp adjustor 30. The clamp nut 26 may have an inclinedsurface 83 at the left (facing the housing) in the form of a secondcone-shaped surface that may cooperate with the housing second section20B inclined surface 82 (FIG. 1). These two surfaces contactcorresponding surfaces of the three mounting parts 24, positionedbetween the nut 26 and housing second section 20B. When urged together,the two surfaces 82, 83 tend to urge the structure interposedtherebetween in a radially outward direction. The mounting parts 24 maybe overwrapped and/or held by the friction rings 28, which arepositioned thereabout, and which also cause frictional contact betweenthe mounting parts and the inner surface of the handlebar 22 wheninserted therein. The clamp nut 26 extends at the right side (FIG. 1) adistance sufficient to distribute the side load created by the radialoffset of the adjustor screw 30′ from the axis A shared by the clamp nut(see FIGS. 1, 3, and 4).

FIG. 5 shows the front view and FIG. 6 shows the back view of thehousing 20 and brake actuator 36. In particular, the offset adjusterscrew 30′ can be seen in FIG. 5 set in the first section 20A andextending through and along the second section 20B to operate the clampmechanism 21 when the screw is rotated in the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the brake control apparatus 18 including anactuator 36, a pivot pin 38, a rod pin 40, a rod 42, a master piston 44,a spring 48, a bleed screw 50, and two stop pins 46. The actuator 36pivots on the pivot pin 38, which pin may be fixed to the housing 20.The rod pin 40 is attached to the actuator 36 and the rod 42 isadjustably engaged with the rod pin. The rod 42 operatively connects theactuator 36 to the master piston 44 and may be a threaded connection onthe end adjacent the actuator 36 and a ball and socket type connectionon the opposite side with the master piston 44.

The master piston 44 is slidably disposed in the master cylinder bore 68and at least in part with the bore defines the master cylinder chamber69 and thus the master cylinder 69′. The master piston 44 may be sealedto the bore 68 with a backup ring and an O-ring, as is well known, toseal hydraulic fluid in the master cylinder chamber 69. At an outer endof the master cylinder chamber 69 may be a pair of transverse orperpendicular holes formed in the housing for receiving stop pins 46,e.g., two pins, which prevent the ball end of the rod 42 from coming outof the bore 68 by being spaced apart a distance less than the diameteror the ball end. The pins 46 also function to prevent the master piston44 from backing out of the master cylinder bore 68. The pins 46 may beany suitable structure or means of preventing the exit of the masterpiston 44 from the master cylinder. The spring 48 is positioned insidethe master cylinder chamber 69 to bias the master piston 44 in adirection out of the chamber. The master piston 44 may have a portionwhich is a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the spring 48 andthus may function to hold the spring. The upper end 71 of the mastercylinder bore 68 has a larger inner diameter than the outer diameter ofthe spring 48 and thus may house the spring at the upper end. At the topof the master cylinder bore 68 is a hole 73 formed through the housing,which may be threaded for receiving the bleed screw 50 and at the end ofthis threaded hole may be a round undercut for an O-ring (not shown),which seals the hydraulic fluid in the master cylinder chamber 69 withthe bleed screw.

FIGS. 7-10 show the micro-adjust mechanism 25 and parts of themacro-adjust mechanism 27, including an adjustment piston 52, anadjustment screw 54, a quick release slider 56, a stop bolt 60, amacro-adjust lever 58, and an adjuster 64, which may be in the form ofan adjustment wheel or knob, a macro-adjust detent mechanism 62, and anadjustment wheel detent mechanism 66. While the micro-adjust mechanism25 and the macro-adjust mechanism 27 are shown on the first section 20Aof the housing, the location ma_(y) be modified to accommodate othertypes of control devices.

The adjustment piston 52 is slidably disposed in the adjustment cylinderbore 70, and at least in part defines with the bore the adjustmentchamber 75 and thus the adjustment cylinder 75′ and may be sealed with abackup ring and an O-ring, as is known with hydraulic brake systems ingeneral. The adjustment piston 52 moves to increase and decrease the oilvolume in the adjustment cylinder chamber 75, and thus the totalcombined fluid volume in the adjustment cylinder chamber and mastercylinder chamber 69, dependent upon its position and direction in thebore 70 (FIG. 2). The adjustment piston 52 may have a threaded blindhole 87 at the outer-facing side and a smaller outer diameter 88 at anopposite end that fits to the inner end of the adjustment cylinder bore70. The adjustment screw 54 is rotatably disposed through themacro-adjust slider 56 and may be fixed against axial movement in theslider 56 with a flange like stop 92 at the inside and with the clampedadjustment wheel 64 at the outside. This adjuster 64 may be any suitableshape, knob, lever or the like that is graspable and/or movable by auser and may be fixed to the adjustment screw 54 with a set screw or anysuitable fastening means. The adjustment screw 54 may be threaded abovethe stop 92 and thus threadably engaged with the adjustment piston 52.

The macro-adjust lever 58 may be fixed to the macro-adjust slider 56with a set screw or any suitable fastening means and the macro-adjustslider can slide and turn inside the stop bolt 60. The macro-adjustslider 56 is shown connected to the stop bolt 60 with a cam followerconnection 98 including two sliding surfaces which are perpendicular tothe adjustment cylinder bore 70. Rotation of the macro-adjust lever 58rotates the cam shaped mounting surface 98 between the inner side of thestop bolt 60 and the adjustment piston 52 causes an axial movement ofpiston 52.

The macro-adjust lever 58 may include the radially operatingmacro-adjust detent mechanism 62. This mechanism includes a spring 78which pushes a ball 76 into one of two or more round grooves or detents74 of the housing 20 and may hold the macro-adjust lever 58 into thedetent. The detents 74 are spaced apart, for example about 90 degrees.The adjustment wheel 64 also may have an axially operating adjustmentwheel detent mechanism 66. This mechanism is also built up of a spring94 which pushes a ball 96 into a V-shape groove or detent 98 at theouter side or face of the quick release lever 58 and holds theadjustment wheel 64 at one of a number of rotational positions, e.g.,eight positions in one complete rotation.

The brake apparatus 18 is secured to the handlebar 22 by inserting thesecond section 20B into the open end of the handlebar and operating theadjuster 30. The threads inside the clamp nut 26 convert the circularmotion of the adjustor screw 30′ into an axial movement and the coneshaped surface of the clamp nut 26 pushes at the adjacent cooperatingsurfaces of the mounting part 24. The other of the cooperating surfacesof the mounting part 24 push against the cone shaped surface 82 of thehousing second section 20B. The axial movement of the clamp nut 26caused by the respective surfaces is converted into an outwards movementof the mounting parts 24. The elastic friction rings 28 will also moveradially on the mounting parts 24 and will be pressed between themounting parts and the inside surface 29 of the handlebar 22 to increasethe clamping force therebetween. Tightening of the offset adjuster screw30′ increases the force between the mounting parts 24 and the innersurface of the handlebar 22 which causes a secure friction fit betweenthe housing 20 and the handlebar 22. If the offset adjuster screw 30′ isturned to loosen, the clamp nut 26 makes an axial movement to the rightand the mounting parts 24 are pushed radially inwardly by the frictionrings 28, thus the friction fit is released and the housing 20 can beremoved from the handlebar 22. The rings 28 are not necessary to theclamp mechanism, but embody one embodiment, and do function to addfriction.

Operation of the actuator 36 creates a torque which causes the actuatorto pivot around the pivot pin 38. The load is transferred through therod pin 40 into the rod 42 and urges the master piston 44 into the bore68 and thus the master cylinder chamber 69. The master piston 44 pushesagainst the bias of spring 48 and causes the flow of hydraulic fluidthrough the hydraulic line 34 into the brake caliper (not shown) untilthe brake pads (not shown) contact the rim. Upon pad contact with therim, the master piston 44 does not appreciably continue to move and theforce of the pads on the rim increases correspondingly with the increaseof the pressure of the hydraulic fluid. The spring 48 is also axiallycompressed during this process and when the hand load is reduced, thespring uses the stored energy created during compression to urge themaster piston 44 back until the ball end of the rod 42 comes to rest incontact with the two stop pins 46.

Operation of the micro-adjust mechanism 25 provides for increases anddecreases in the total hydraulic fluid volume of the housing 20 in orderto adjust the clearance between the brake pads and the rim (not shown).The brake apparatus 18 preferably has two different operating adjustmentcontrols with different feed motions. The macro-adjust mechanism 27,which causes a relatively large feed motion of the adjustment piston 52by rotating the macro-adjust lever 58 a select amount, e.g., 90 degrees,and the micro-adjust mechanism 25, which causes a lesser feed motion ofthe adjustment piston 58 by turning the adjustment wheel 64.

The macro-adjust mechanism 27 increases or decreases the clearancebetween the brake pads and the rim, e.g., in one step, to allow therider to remove a wheel from the frame. By turning the macro-adjustlever 58, e.g., about 90 degrees, the sliding surface 98 between themacro-adjust slider 56 and the mounting surface of the stop bolt 60 andcauses an axial movement of the macro-adjust slider 56, the macro-adjustlever 58, the adjustment screw 54, the adjustment wheel 64 and theadjustment piston 52.

During this process operated in the release direction, the fluid volumeof the housing 20 increases and hydraulic fluid is pulled in through thehydraulic line 34 and out of the brake caliper. This causes movement ofthe slave piston in the brake caliper (not shown) and the brake pads toopen up (i.e., the space between respective brake pads) in order toprovide the clearance to remove or install the wheel out of or into thevehicle frame.

By turning the macro-adjust lever 58 in the opposite direction from thatdescribed above, the sliding surface of the macro-adjust slider 56follows the mounting surface 98 of the stop bolt 60 and causes an axialmovement in the other direction and the fluid volume of the housing 20decreases and fluid is pushed back into the brake caliper causing thepads to move together. Both positions of the macro-adjust lever 58 maybe retained with the macro-adjust detent mechanism 62. The spring 78,which may be located in the macro-adjust lever 58, pushes a ball 76 intoa round groove 74 of the housing 20 and the angular position of themacro-adjust lever 58 may be thus retained. Before turning themacro-adjust lever 58 to another position, the torque needs to overcomethe spring force of the macro-adjust detent mechanism 62, which urgesthe ball 76 into the groove 74 of the housing 20.

The micro-adjust mechanism 25 also provides a pad contact adjustmentwith an appropriate, lesser feed motion (relative to themacro-adjustment mechanism for a select amount of rotation thereof) byturning the adjustment wheel 64 a selected amount. It will be understoodthat for any given or select amount of rotation that the macro-adjustmechanism 27 will produce a relatively greater motion of the piston 52than the micro-adjust mechanism 25.

The adjustment wheel 64 is connected to the adjustment screw 54, whichis rotatably connected to the adjustment piston 52 by a threadedconnection. The threads convert the rotational motion of the wheel 64into an axial motion of the adjustment piston 52 and the fluid volume ofthe housing 20 increases or decreases depending upon the rotationaldirection of the adjustment wheel 64, producing a corresponding changein distance between the brake pads and the rim (not shown). The angularposition of the adjustment wheel 64 may be movably retained in a numberof positions by the adjustment wheel detent mechanism 66. The spring 94of the detent mechanism 66 urges a ball 96 into the V-groove 98 of themacro-adjust lever 58 and the torque needs to be higher than the springforce to turn the adjustment wheel 64.

In one embodiment, the macro-adjust detent mechanism 62 includes astronger spring retention arrangement than that of the adjustment wheeldetent mechanism 66, such that the adjustment wheel 64 does not carryand turn the macro-adjust lever 58 when the adjustment wheel is turned.

While this invention has been described by reference to particularembodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes could be madewithin the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described.Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to thedisclosed embodiment, but that it have the full scope permitted by thelanguage of the following claims.

1. A hydraulic brake control apparatus for attaching to an open-endedhandlebar of a vehicle, the handlebar having a longitudinal axis,comprising: a brake housing attachable to the handlebar, the brakehousing including a first section residing outside the handlebar andabutting the open end of the handlebar, and a second section sized andshaped to be received inside the handlebar; a master cylinder disposedwithin the first section, the master cylinder having a master cylinderchamber with a chamber axis that is oriented transverse to said axis ofthe handlebar; and a master cylinder actuator in operative associationwith the master cylinder.
 2. The hydraulic brake control apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said axis of the handlebar intersects the mastercylinder.
 3. The hydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe master cylinder bore axis is perpendicular to said axis of thehandlebar.
 4. The hydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe master cylinder is radial to said axis of the handlebar.
 5. Thehydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 1, further including one orboth of a macro-adjust mechanism and a micro-adjust mechanism.
 6. Thehydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 5, wherein one or both of themicro-adjust mechanism and the macro-adjust mechanism is disposed on thehousing.
 7. The hydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 5, whereinboth the micro-adjust mechanism and the macro-adjust mechanism isdisposed on the first section of the housing.
 8. The hydraulic brakecontrol apparatus of claim 5, further comprising an adjustment cylinderin communication with the master cylinder and provided with a fluidvolume, wherein the one or both of the micro-adjust mechanism and themacro-adjust mechanism is operable to change the fluid volume in theadjustment cylinder.
 9. The hydraulic brake control apparatus of claim8, wherein the master cylinder actuator is pivotally attached to thehousing between the master cylinder and the adjustment cylinder.
 10. Thehydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mastercylinder actuator is pivotally attached to the housing below andradially outboard of the master cylinder when the apparatus is attachedto the handlebar.
 11. The hydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 1,wherein the master cylinder actuator is pivotally attached to thehousing below and radially outboard of the master cylinder when theapparatus is attached to the handlebar.
 12. The hydraulic brake controlapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a clamp mechanism arrangedabout the second section of the brake housing.
 13. The hydraulic brakecontrol apparatus of claim 12, wherein the clamp mechanism expandsradially to secure the housing to the handlebar.
 14. The hydraulic brakecontrol apparatus of claim 12, wherein the clamp mechanism issymmetrical about the second section of the housing.
 15. The hydraulicbrake control apparatus of claim 12, wherein the clamp mechanismincludes a clamp adjuster that is offset from said axis of the handlebarfor operating the clamp mechanism.
 16. The hydraulic brake controlapparatus of claim 15, wherein the clamp adjuster extends generallyparallel to said axis of the handlebar.
 17. The hydraulic brake controlapparatus of claim 1, wherein the second section includes a fluidconduit formed therethrough that is in fluid communication with themaster cylinder.
 18. The hydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 17,wherein the fluid conduit extends along said axis of the handlebar. 19.The hydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 17, wherein the fluidconduit is coaxial with said axis of the handlebar.
 20. The hydraulicbrake control apparatus of claim 17, wherein a clamp mechanism ispositioned about the conduit.
 21. The hydraulic brake control apparatusof claim 1, wherein the master cylinder is disposed entirely within thefirst section.
 22. The hydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 1,wherein the apparatus is constructed as a closed system.
 23. Thehydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mastercylinder actuator is a brake lever.
 24. The hydraulic brake controlapparatus of claim 5, further comprising a clamp mechanism arrangedabout the second section of the brake housing.
 25. A hydraulic brakecontrol apparatus for controlling the braking of a vehicle, the vehiclehaving a handlebar with a handlebar axis, comprising: a brake housingattachable to the handlebar; a master cylinder disposed in the brakehousing and having a bore axis oriented transverse to said axis of thehandlebar; a master cylinder actuator pivotally attached to the housingand in operative association with the master cylinder; an adjustmentcylinder disposed in the brake housing in communication with the mastercylinder, the adjustment cylinder including an adjustment cylinderchamber provided with a volume of fluid; and one or both of amicro-adjust mechanism and a macro-adjust mechanism operable upon theadjustment cylinder to change the fluid volume of the adjustmentcylinder chamber.
 26. The hydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 25,wherein the brake housing includes a first section residing outside thehandlebar and abutting an open end of the handlebar and a second sectionsized and shaped to be received inside the handlebar.
 27. The hydraulicbrake control apparatus of claim 26, wherein the master cylinder isdisposed within the first section.
 28. The hydraulic brake controlapparatus of claim 26, wherein both the master cylinder and theadjustment cylinder are disposed within the first section.
 29. Thehydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 26, wherein the mastercylinder is disposed entirely within the first section.
 30. Thehydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 26, wherein both the mastercylinder and the adjustment cylinder are disposed entirely within thefirst section.
 31. The hydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 26,wherein said axis of the handlebar intersects the master cylinder. 32.The hydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 26, wherein the mastercylinder bore axis is perpendicular to said axis of handlebar.
 33. Thehydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 26, wherein the mastercylinder is radial to said axis of the handlebar.
 34. The hydraulicbrake control apparatus of claim 26, wherein both the micro-adjustmechanism and the macro-adjust mechanism are disposed on the firstsection of the housing.
 35. The hydraulic brake control apparatus ofclaim 34, wherein the micro-adjust mechanism is operatively connected toan adjustment piston movably disposed in the adjustment cylinderchamber.
 36. The hydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 35, whereinthe micro-adjust mechanism moves the adjustment piston a first distancefor a select amount of rotation.
 37. The hydraulic brake controlapparatus of claim 36, wherein the micro-adjust mechanism includes anadjustor that is in threaded engagement with the adjustment piston. 38.The hydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 36, wherein themacro-adjust mechanism moves the adjustment piston a second distance forsaid select amount of rotation, wherein the second distance is greaterthan the first distance.
 39. The hydraulic brake control apparatus ofclaim 25, wherein the apparatus is constructed as a closed system. 40.The hydraulic brake control apparatus of claim 25, wherein the a mastercylinder actuator is a brake lever.
 41. A clamp mechanism for attachinga brake control apparatus to an open ended handlebar of a vehicle, thehandlebar having an inside surface and a longitudinal axis, comprising:a brake housing attachable to the handlebar, the brake housing includinga first section residing outside the handlebar and a second sectionsized and shaped to be received inside the open end of the handlebar,the clamp mechanism arranged symmetrically about the second section ofthe brake housing to space apart the second section from the handlebarand operating to secure the brake housing to the inside surface of thehandlebar by expanding radially, the clamp mechanism including anadjustor, the adjustor accessible from the first section and extendingthrough the first and second sections and being offset from said axis ofthe handlebar.
 42. The clamp of claim 41, wherein the adjustor includesa clamp nut and a clamp screw threadably received by the clamp nut. 43.The clamp of claim 41, wherein the clamp mechanism includes a pluralityof mounting parts positioned between the second section of the housingand the clamp nut, the mounting parts shaped and sized to move radiallyoutwardly and secure to the inside surface of the handlebar when theclamp nut is displaced relative to the second section by the clampscrew.
 44. The clamp of claim 43, wherein the second section includes afirst cone-shaped surface.
 45. The clamp of claim 44, wherein the clampnut includes a second cone-shaped surface shaped to cooperate with thefirst cone-shaped surface to act upon the mounting parts.
 46. The clampof claim 45, wherein the mounting parts are shaped to be displacedradially when the first and second cone-shaped surfaces are drawntogether by the adjustor.
 47. The clamp of claim 43, wherein the clampmechanism includes one or more friction rings positioned about themounting parts.
 48. The clamp of claim 41, wherein the second sectionincludes a fluid conduit that is positioned radially inwardly of theclamp mechanism.
 49. The clamp of claim 48, wherein the conduit extendsalong the handlebar axis and radially inward of the clamp mechanismwherein the conduit is in fluid communication with a radial mastercylinder formed in the first section of the housing.
 50. The clamp ofclaim 48, wherein the conduit extends coaxial with said axis of thehandlebar.
 51. The clamp of claim 41, wherein the housing comprises ahydraulic master cylinder.